FR is a Treasure Trove of talented, compassionate, patriotic, wonderful people who gather every day to discuss the latest news and issues; salute and support our military and our leaders; tell a few jokes; learn a new word; write poetry; pray for those in need; and congratulate those who are deserving. Thank you, Jim Robinson, for giving us the vehicle in which we can express ourselves.

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997. I can remember lurking when there were only a few regulars who posted, and now there are over 60,000 who have registered for posting privileges. The forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

So many people have written me since my original Veteran's Day Tribute, asking how they, or a loved one, could be included in that tribute. Since I can no longer add the photos to the body of the thread, I've been including them in additional posts as I received enough to make another collage.

Still that doesn't seem to be enough. I think there's never been a better nor more appropriate time to keep the faces of our own Veterans and Active Military in front of FReepers--every day! That's why I wanted to do yet another Daily Thread .....ABOUT FReepers .....and FOR FReepers. But not only about our Military FReepers; for all FReepers! Wouldn't it be nice to get to know a few of the other FReepers as well? That's why, in addition to seeing FR's Finest Military Personnel every day, I thought it might be fun to feature a different FReeper (or FReepers) each day. If you would like to be pictured, or know someone who would, please FReepmail me and we'll turn the spotlight - on YOU - for the day!

And do let me know if you'd like your picture added to the groups of Veterans/Active Military below. I will keep this page updated, and continue to add them to the comment section of the original Veteran's Day thread as well.

The Joys of Equestrian Pursuits:(or, Do You Really Think You Shouldve Been a Cowboy?)

May 15, 10:00 A.M. : BOY! Todays the day! I can hardly wait to get to the stables and see that beautiful horse again! I was very lucky to see that ad in the paper: FOR SALE: FOUR YEAR OLD GELDING, VERY GENTLE, BROKE TO RIDE. I didnt know what a gelding was until the man at the stables told me that it was a male horse whose testicles had been removed, but I knew it was a horse of some kind. And what a horse it was! I could tell the man didnt want to sell it, and I couldnt blame him. He called it lovingly, Blivet. I thought that was a great name so I decided to keep it. He said it was a sorrel, but it just looked brown to me. He explained that the white mark on his head was called a blaze, and the white on its ankles were called stockings. I loved talking horse talk with him! He was a real cowboy! He showed me how to saddle it and put the bridle on, and explained that the girth had to be pulled tight to get the saddle to stay on.

May 15, 11:00 A.M.: I can see Blivet now standing there in his corral waiting for me! Ive got on my boots and hat, and Im ready to saddle up and hit the trail!

May 15, 11:30 A.M.: As I lead him out hes nuzzling my hand. Aww, thats so sweet! I put the blanket and saddle on him very carefully and pulled the girth up tight. I notice that Blivet has taken a deep breath so the girth wont be too tight around his middle, and I cant blame him for that! Heck, I wouldnt want something like that cutting into my stomach either! Ive heard of people kicking their horses in the stomach to make them let out the air so the girth can be drawn tighter, but I cant imagine anyone being that cruel! Okay, Blivet, were ready to go! As Im putting my boot in that thing the cowboy called a stirrup, I notice that Blivet is turning his head around to welcome me aboard. Ahh, now hes nibbling on my pants leg No, thats not my pants leg  THATS MY LEG!HEY, BLIVET, YOURE BITING THE CRAP OUT OF MY LEG!! OWWWWWW! DAMN! THAT HURTS!!

June 1, 10:00 A.M.: Well, my leg is almost healed now, so Im going back out to the stables to ride Blivet since I had to cut the first ride short to get my leg treated at the emergency room. Im sure Blivet didnt mean any harm; he was just trying to play and got a little rough. The cowboy put a chest strap on him to hold his head down so he couldnt reach my leg. I hate to do that to him, but my leg is still tender.

July 2, 10:00 A.M.: Well, Ive finally got the cast off my arm so Im going back out to TRY to ride that damn horse again! My wife is complaining that while I was in the hospital she got the bill for the stables and the hay to feed Blivet and it comes to more than our mortgage payment. That damn horse lives better than I do!

July 2, 11:00 A.M.: Okay, Blivet, you can stick your stomach out all you want to!! HEY! How do you like that old kick in the gut, huh??! If you turn that head around again, Ill hit you with this lead headed quirt I bought. NOW! Get your mangy ass moving!

July 2, 11:45 A.M.: Ahh, yes, riding along with the wind in my face enjoying the rapport with nature and this magnificent animal....!BLIVET, WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU DOING??! THATS NOT A SNAKE! ITS A DAMN STICK! QUIT JUMPING SIDEWAYS! SLOW DOWN, BLIVET! WHOA! OH, HELL, NOT AGAIN! IM FALLING! GOT TO GET MY BOOT OUT OF THAT STIRRUP!

August 15, 10:00 A.M.: Well, Im on my way back out to the stables again. The break in my leg is healed and I can move my head again. The cowboy said I was lucky that I got my foot out of the stirrup or Blivet might have drug me to death! Im wearing a holster with a .45 now in case that happens again. The cowboy said that was the main reason people in his profession wore a gun  to shoot the horse if they fell off. Im getting ready to shoot the horse even if I DONT fall off!

August 15, 11:30 A.M.: Im saddled up again, and this time the girth is cutting his damn stomach in two, and my gun is loaded! Okay, Blivet, lets pound some gravel, hit the trail, bite some dust! Ahh, now this is more like it! Loping along with the wind in my face feeling the strength of this fine animal between my legs! I love the smell of horse sweat .HEY! BLIVET! WE ARE NOT GOING TO JUMP THAT DAMN FENCE! NOOOOO! OH, CRAP! WHERES THAT DAMN GUN??! SHIT! I HOPE THE GROUND IS SOFTER THIS TIME!

September 20, 10:00 A.M.: Well, Im on my way back out to the stables again. The hospital just added a new wing with the money Ive spent trying to ride that *#@^*# horse! The month I spent in traction cost more than my car! The doctor said the cactus needles would eventually work themselves out. My wife has gone to live with her mother. Im in my shorts and sneakers. I gave my boots and hat to the Salvation Army. Maybe someone else might like to try to return to their roots. HA!If that idiot in the boots and hat wont buy back that mangy four legged beast from hell Im going to shoot it and him on the spot!!

The cop got out of his car and the kid who was stopped for speeding rolled down his window. "I've been waiting for you all day," the cop said. The guy replied, "Yeah, well I got here as fast as I could." When the cop finally stopped laughing, he sent the kid on his way without a ticket.

LOL- Thanks Billie, you made my night-
Hey I actualy got a decent picture online if you go to my profile and foloow the link to my yahoo profile page (my yahoo id is mwk_14059 for anyone wanting to chat on Yahoo IM)

LOL- Thanks Billie, you made my night-
Hey I actualy got a decent picture online if you go to my profile and foloow the link to my yahoo profile page (my yahoo id is mwk_14059 for anyone wanting to chat on Yahoo IM)

I went to the store the other day, I was only in there for about 5 minutes and when I came out there was a damn motorcycle cop writing a parking ticket.

So I went up to him and said, 'Come on buddy, how about giving a person a break?' He ignored me and continued writing the ticket. So I called him a pencil necked nazi. He glared at me and started writing another ticket for having bald tires!! So I called him horse sh't. He finished the second ticket and put it on the car with the first. Then he started writing a third ticket!! This went on for about 20 minutes, the more I abused him, the more tickets he wrote. I didn't give a damn...my car was parked around the corner...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Thanks, jellybean, for the best laugh I've had in a while! That is so darn funny I can't stop laughing! The look on the real owners face when he comes out and finds his windshield plastered with tickets would be priceless!!

Meek, I'll post those flag pictures back on the Website tomorrow. I had to make some room, but I'll put 'em back now.

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